Category: Theology

I had the opportunity to bring the message yesterday on the story of the sisters Martha and Mary. What follows are excerpts of that sermon. I have removed some of the more contextual pieces that would only really make sense for the congregation that this sermon was preached for. I titled the sermon, “Why do

Some of my favorite blogs provide regular posts with a simple series of links and brief annotations. In this vein, and in the spirit of sharing information and collaborating I would like to begin to provide my own links regularly about once a week. I need to come up with a good name for this

The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) hosted a virtual conference on Diakonia* today (June 5, 2013). The conference included participants from around the globe (including from the Philippines, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Switzerland, Mexico, the United States and many other locales). For purposes of shared learning and collaboration, I wanted to catch some of the resources from

I had the pleasure of being able to take some time out of my work day to attend chapel at Luther Seminary yesterday. I felt it was important to do so as this was the final chapel service of the academic year, and it was a special one of “Farewell and Godspeed” for a place

Continuing in my series of reflections from reading Anthony B. Robinson’s Transforming Congregational Culture, today we turn to chapter four which he titles, “From Assuming the Goods to Delivering the Goods, Part One: Worship.” This chapter offers some thoughts, perspectives, challenges, and questions around what is worship. Robinson makes a number of assertions in this chapter

I have decided to pick up and read a decade old book, Transforming Congregational Culture, by Anthony B. Robinson.* As I move through this book, I intend to write a few posts along the way about either quotes that resonate with me, or about pieces I see that have especially changed (good or bad) since Robinson wrote

Two years ago, I wrote a blog post about “multi-layered leadership.” Given the transition the congregation I am employed at is in, I thought it might be worth another look. Reading this 2002 article, “Multi-Layered Leadership: The Christian Leader as Builder, Shepherd, and Gardener,” almost convinces me that its author must have been in conversation

(Written on Thursday March 28, 2013) For those of us in the so-called “Mainline” Christian faith, today we observe Maundy Thursday. This is the day we remember Jesus’ last supper with his disciples, its from this event that comes the sacrament of Holy Communion. But also on this day Jesus is said to have washed

In my previous post, I raised two questions. The first, “what perplexes you most about leadership?” will help shape coming posts, but will not be considered here. The second question though, “for those of you who are Christian, what is on your mind at the start of this Holy Week,” I reflect on myself here.